Posh Lift Maunsell Cup

29 July 2014

Phil Adlam

A stunning strike from Jonny Edwards helped Peterborough United lift the Maunsell Cup.

Peterborough United lifted the first silverware of the new season with a 2-1 victory over Daventry Town on Tuesday night with striker Jonny Edwards setting down the marker for goal of the season with a stunning volley from 20-yards.

The youthful Posh side defended resolutely and ran out winners to lift the Maunsell Cup with skipper Bobby Olejnik lifting the trophy high above his head.

Striker Jonny Edwards forced the Daventry goalkeeper into an excellent save inside the opening 10 minutes with the 25-yard effort pushed around the post.

From the resulting set-piece, the trialist centre-back planted a header inches past the post after an excellent Tom Conlon delivery from the right.

Harry Anderson fired wide after good hold-up play from Tye Phillips before a sweet strike from Conlon was pushed wide by the over-worked Daventry shot-stopper.

On the half hour mark, Posh got themselves in front and if you see a better strike of a football all season, then it will be the goal of the season. The ball landed perfectly, but Jonny EDWARDS caught his 25-yard volley superbly with the ball flying past the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

Daventry wasted a good opportunity just before the break which was fired over the bar before Posh doubled their lead. Jack Friend was felled in the box and centre back James WARD coolly converted the spot-kick to the keeper's right.

The home side reduced the arrears from the spot moments after the re-start after referee Dean Whitestone spotted a handball in the box. Bobby Olejnik was sent the wrong way from the spot.

Posh were close to making it 3-1 through Phillips after an excellent counter-attack, the home keeper pulling off a brilliant close-range save to keep the striker out.

Edwards fired wide and Jack Friend also went close as Posh continued to create chances, while at the other end, Olejnik saved well from close-range as the game moved into the final 10 minutes.

Edwards was a constant thorn in the Daventry side, particularly in the last 10 minutes when his team needed him to hold the ball up and in the end, despite the narrow scoreline, Posh were comfortable winners and skipper Bobby Olejnik was able to lift the first piece of silverware of the season.